Page 16 of Crossed Sticks

Everyone chortled and told Gabe he was full of shit. I knew the drill—bolster the new guy’s confidence—but they probably meant some of what was said. The Warriors needed another good forward, and being in Buffalo was my chance to show what I could do.

My stomach fluttered when Mason cracked a joke, and everyone laughed again. He looked enough like Luca to remind me of the coffee shop and make me think about our date next Tuesday.

“Cool, calm, and collected,” Nick Johnson used to say when we were nervous about a game. “Let’s keep our anxiety in check so we can do our best.”

I took a deep breath. Whatever happened with Luca would be okay if I stayed out of my head and focused on keeping it light. There was nothing wrong with being friends with benefits.

Interrupting my thoughts, Jax reminded everyone we were going to lunch, so I stripped down for a shower. Hopefully, the warm water would wash away the jitters so I could enjoy the coming weekend.

6/

luca

The photo shootwas killing me. Only Marc, the photographer, and his silent assistant were in the studio, and everything Marc said sounded the same. He was taking an endless series of shots in which only my facial expressions and hand positions varied. There weren’t even lighting changes, which meant no breaks for me. My bladder finally came to the rescue, but when I said I needed to piss, Marc acted like I’d asked for an hour-long nap. Considering the yawns I’d been stifling, that wouldn’t have been a bad idea.

Harper was all I could think about. I’d lose myself in fantasies of posing for him and getting a blow job as a reward, but then doubt would creep in. Did I look so silly he’d change his mind about hanging out? Marc’s monotonous voice became an unlikely lifeline, snapping me back to reality, and I was relieved Harper wasn’t there to see me doing something so ridiculous. A minute later, I’d sigh because he wasn’t there to think I was hot. Hewouldthink so, right?

The forced smiles Marc demanded made my jaw cramp, and the back of my neck was sore. Combined with the obsessive thoughts about Harper, it all threatened to give me a headache. This kind of anxiety was uncharted territory when it came tomen. Most guys didn’t give me nerves because I never expected to see them again. Now, the prospect of spending time with someone I wanted to impress had me wishing for one of the antianxiety pills I kept at home for emergencies.

I’d been stupid last night. What I should have done was walk around the building, knocking on every door until I found Harper’s apartment. The idea of not seeing him until our date seemed fanciful when he brought it up, absence making the dick grow fonder and all that, but now, I wasn’t so sure. If I’d found him, I could have at least stolen a kiss, which might have calmed my jitters.

Mercifully, the photo shoot wrapped early, giving me time to visit the farmers’ market before it closed at six. A lively crowd buzzed around while I selected heirloom tomatoes, a variety of berries, some peaches, homemade pasta, and a new basil plant for the kitchen. After catching up with some of my favorite vendors, I stowed my bags in the trunk and slid into the driver’s seat. Cranking the AC to high, I took out my phone to find a playlist for the ride home. I hadn’t heard from Harper, so I thumbed in a quick text. If he answered, I could dictate my responses while I drove.

LUCA: I hope your work thing went okay. Are you in D.C. yet?

It wasn’t long before a reply came.

HARPER: Hey! Just boarded the plane and waiting for takeoff. I was planning to text you from down there. How’s your day been?

LUCA: Busy but good. I didn’t realize you were leaving so late.

HARPER: With my work thing, then driving to the airport, this was the first flight I could take. We’ll land in D.C. about seven-thirty.

I almost asked him to wait at the airport so I could go along. We’d have fun and get to know each other down there. Fortunately, I realized that was too pushy before I embarrassed myself. We’d only recently met, and we’d had only one in-person conversation—in a coffee shop with pheromones so thick in the air you could stir them, culminating in a hotter-than-hell fuck in the shop’s bathroom. Where anyone could have heard. Which could have gotten us arrested. God, it was stupid, but it was so hot, I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

LUCA: Glad it won’t be a long flight. Is someone meeting you?

HARPER: Two friends. I’ll be staying with them while I’m there.

LUCA: Glad you won’t be alone.

I was happy to hear he was staying with friends instead of an old boyfriend. We hadn’t had our date yet, and I didn’t want him rekindling anything that would make him change his mind about getting to know me. I could find sex anywhere, but a guy I wanted to spend time with? There weren’t many of those.

HARPER: Not at all. I’ll be seeing different friends while I’m there, but almost everyone I know in D.C. is married. They’re great guys.

Blowing out a sigh of relief, I pulled into the next lane to pass the car in front of me. If his friends were married, they weren’t likely to hit on him.

What the hell? We’d only agreed to be fuck buddies—wehadagreed on that, right? So, either of us could sleep with anyone else whenever we wanted. That may have been the theory, but I didn’t want him having sex with anyone else before I could get my foot in the door. Or my dick in his ass. Whatever.

LUCA: I’m glad. Nothing like good friends.

HARPER: You’re right about that. Sorry, but they’re ready for takeoff. Text you later?

LUCA: I’ll be waiting. Have a safe flight!

At home, I changed into workout shorts and a T-shirt before starting dinner. Wanting comfort food, I settled on a Caprese salad and spaghetti with marinara for dinner, followed by mixed berries for dessert. A few weeks earlier, I’d made some of my grandmother’s marinara sauce and froze the leftovers, so I took a container of it from the freezer and popped it into the microwave.

My phone rang while I was turning on the burner under a pot of water. When I saw it was Caleb, my jaw clenched, shooting pain to the back of my neck. I considered letting the call go to voicemail, but at the last minute, I answered.

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